Bomb head construction



.lilly-21, 1959 c. A. LYON BOMB HEAD coNsTRucTloN Filed March 2 8, 1955 nited States eem BOMB HEAD coNsrRUCTIoN IGeorge Albert Lyon, Detroit, Mich.

Applicationmarch 2s, '19ss,seria1N0. 497,269

s claims. (ci. 1oz-2) This invention relates to a lbomb head construction and to a method by which ysuspension .or retaining means may be provided for same.

In the manufacture of the more modern streamlined l'ow drag-type vbombs one of Ythe most pressing .problems is in the provision of suitable suspension means such as stud sockets for carrying the bomb on the underside of the Wing of yanairplane'or the like.

'The suspension means is ordinarily mounted on the side wall of the shell or casing of the vbomb vat Aa balanced Vpoint somewhere between the ends of .the shell. In the past due to the relatively great length Lof the casing it has been ynecessary to utilize special apparatus or vthe like to extend Vinto the .casing to the .socket zone area in the formation of the stud area.

It is therefore an Vobject of this invention to provide a method of attaching suspensionmeans 4on the wall of a bomb casing which does not require the `use of more cumbersome techniques.

A further .object of the invention is to provide an improved method of making flow drag bombs in -a manner to facilitate securing drop ring :sockets thereto.

Still another object of this Vinvention isto provide a simple but .inexpensive `way of attaching `bomb .hanger or drop ring sockets to the -wall of a .bomb casing which readily lends .itselflto production on a ,large rscale.

-A further object of this invention isA Ato forge the studs contemporaneously with an insert plate of vsuch yconfiguration so as to be readily securable within a corresponding indentation or recess in the wallof the bomb casing.

A still further object of this invention is to provide stud retaining Imeans -on the -wall of the bomb casi-ng which vwill -betterresist any propensityrof outside forces or elements to break the connection 5between the studs and the casing. Y v

In accordance 'with' 'the general features o'f'the invention there is provided in a bomb or Vthe like a cylindrical casing-like body comprising at least two longitudinal tubular sections, namely, a nose section and a lower section, one of the sections having a portion of its wall recessed longitudinally from an end edge thereof, a hanger stud segment in the recess and means cornprising a welded joint between the sections for holding them in longitudinal alignment with the segment secured in the recess.

Other features relate to the aforwaid segment having metallurgical characteristics different from that of the section for reinforcing the hanger stud area of the bomb and the segment being incorporated in the recess prior to the welding of the sections together.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional exploded view showing the two parts of a bomb head casing or shell i ice embodying features of the 'present invention but 'withithe segment omitted.

Figure 2 Vis a side View as seen on -the underside -of the wedge-shaped segment or insert with the studs forged therewith;

Figure 2a is an end yiewof the segment ylooking downward;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on they line III-III of Figure 2 showing my novel 'stud retaining means forged integral with the wedge-shaped insert;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the lower casing section as seen from the interior thereof showing how the wedge-shaped insert is progressively -internested with the recess or indentation 1p1-ovided therein; and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View through the bomb head casing or Ishell after assembly thereof, ready for assembly with other components 'to make up a complete bomb.

As shown on the drawings:

Since my invention will be best understood from -a detailed description made in conjunction with the steps of my novel method I shall now relate in detail the steps of my novel method.

The iirst step of my method -in the construction Fof the instant streamlined low drag type bomb casing :or body 10 (Figure 5) is the drawing and forming .ofv the generally ytubular bomb casing shell, or body'll from rolled steel plate such as low carbon ysteel or :the-like into at least two tubular sections, as bes-t seen at 1.2 and 13 of Figure l. It will be appreciated lthat this Vmay be effected in any suitable manner, and that the casing may be constructed of more than -two sections if fdew sired. For a ypreferred `method vof construction see my copending case entitled, Bomb-Head Construction, led December 27, 1954, 4Serial No. 477,773.

The ynext step :of my novel method is in the forming of a'recess, indentation or cut out `14in the annular side wall 1'5 of ione of the casing sections. VThe recessv-14- is of a predetermined configuration preferably agenerally V`wedge or .pie yshape vopening -(Figure Hand shown inthe illustrated 'embodiment as extending :downwardlyfrom the top end edge *of the `lower vsection 13.

The next step in my -method of :construction l:is the forming of a steel segmentor curved plate 16 with a series of integral studs 17 located thereon in :aspredetermined relationship. The member 16 ,is forged into avgenerally -wedge or pie shaped member ofthe:

14has beenv made.

l. The :advantageof the foregoing v'forging foperation ,isf

that better 'ormoredesirable metallurgical:characted:

istics are obtainable through forging the plate 16 and studs 17 together as opposed to butt welding the studs to the bomb casing or the like. In other words, the steel of the segment 16 is of different or sturdier characteristics than that of the steel comprising the casing sections 12 and 13.

The forging of the plate 16 and its integral studs in one operation minimizes any propensity of moisture or the like from seeping into the interior of the bomb adjacent the junction of the studs 17 with the plate 16. This is to be distinguished from other techniques of attaching retaining means to the bomb casing body such as welding the studs to the wall of the bomb shell 11 which other modes have a tendency to give rise to defects such as cracks and improper welding which permit moisture to seep in and ruin the powder charge.

After the segment or plate 16 has been formed along with the studs 17 the plate is then nished which inlcludes removal of vany ilash along lwith any other .un. ydesired irregularities,

The plate 16 is then inl condition to be progressively Atelescoped within the indentationl lor'recess 14 in the 1 wallv 15. ofthe section 13. Y It will be `apjzlvr'eciated that the recess has beeny formed yin the area approximating y vthe ultimate center of'massoffthe'bomb with the studs I claim as my invention: l r1. In a' ybomb 'or the like, afcylindrical casing-like body comprising at least two longitudinal tubular secby means of welding asbest seen in Figure 5 with any resulting flash or the like being thereafter removed.

yEach of the studs is then drilled and tapped to fonm a socket 21 which is capable of receiving a ydrop ring" (not shown) which is utilizedl to secure the bomb on the underside of the airplane rwing .or the like. Such tapping and threading may be optionally done before or after the segment issecured in place in the section 13.

lAifterthesections 12 and 13 defining the bomb casing tions, namely, a nose section and a lower section, one

of said sections lhaving aportion ofits wall recessed f ,longitudinally from van end'edge thereof, a hanger stud segment in said recess and means'comprising a welded joint 'betweensaid sections for holding them in longi-y tudinal alignment and with said other section bearing endwise against an end of said segment at the joint, said' segment having metallurgical characteristics different from that of said sections for reinforcing the hangery stud area of the bomb and said segment being incorporated in said recess prior tothe welding of said sections together, said stud segment havinga series of studs projecting internally of the tubular sections and having threaded recessesl openingexteriorly of the tubular sec tions for receipt of hanger elements. l

2. In a low drag bomb structure, a tubular cylindrical casing comprised of a plurality of superimposed stacked ysections,fone of saidy sections having ay Wedge-shaped cir cumferentially arched recesswith the recess p opening longitudinally of thadjoining superimposed stackedv secf tion, a wedge-shaped circumferentially larched plate cor" 11 have been joined, asby welding, the base 22 and the nose 23 of the casing are machined according to specifical f tion. The bomb-shell 11 is then in condition to have assembled within it'other'component vparts r(not shown) including the head and tail. assemblies and the powder charge. f f

Thus, itis now'possible through vthe employment of the instant method to forge the bomb suspension means f ldefined lbythe studs with a p1ate`vvhich is in eftectf aY fragment ofthe bomb casing and thereafter to assemble the components in the lmanner yabove described. yBy

possibility of.moisture seeping through any openings due to improper Welding techniques or cracking ofthe surfaces defined by the socket is substantially eliminated.

In forging the studs integral with the plate or segment 16 it will be appreciated that a better grade of steel may be used if desired so as to obtain maximum strength along with the best possible metal characteristics Without greatly increasing the overall cost as 'would be the case if the whole casing Was made of, the better grade of metal.

While the steps of my novel method have been described generally in chronological order it will be appreciated that certain of the steps may be interchanged without departing from the instant invention.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

responding lgenerally to the configuration yof therecess nestinglyy Welded therein, said associated section and plate havingv a common' tubular edge area engaged with and Welded to theadjoining superimposed stacked section, 1

f and a series of hangery studs on the tubular casing diss l virtue -of the aforementioned forging operation the' manufacturers problem of yproviding suspension means fory the bomb is greatlysmpliiied and improvedfsince the posedy on an inner side of the arched plate and withfsaid plate andr hanger studs having a series of socket areas vtherein opening externally of the tubular casing for the receipt of hanger elements.l f f y f 3. In a projectile structure', a tubular cylindrical casing comprised of a plurality of superimposed' stacked sections, one of saidy sections having'a Awedge-shapedv cir-,y

cumferentially, arched recess with the recess ropening longitudinally of the adjoining superimposed stacked 4 section, and a wedge-shaped ycrcurnferentially yarched -deiined by the socket which may arise in'other'methods f plate corresponding generally'to the conguration rof the recess nestingly welded therein, said associated section f and plate having a common tubular edge area engaged with and Welded to the adjoining superimposed stacked section, said plate being made of sturdier material than that of said sections so as to be more resistant to distortion when subjected to outside forces.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 424,442 Wood Mar. 25, 1890 1,817,580 Pierce Aug. 4, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 472,654 Great Britain Sept. 27, 1937 554,833 Great Britain July 21, 1943 

